System and method for integrated multiple source player cash access

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention allows for fund access and management wherein gaming machines, such as slot machines or on-line virtual gaming machines, receive playable credits directly from a patron&#39;s banking or credit card account. Another aspect of the present invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing the players to provide a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment. In return, the casino issues gaming or bonus points to the players for allowing their transactions to be tracked. Yet another aspect of the present invention consolidates the players&#39; financial account information into a single casino database. Players can subsequently credit or debit cash from the players&#39; financial accounts using any associated customer identification cards or otherwise receive such credits in other forms that permit negotiations, including quasi-cash documents.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/957,283, filed Oct. 1, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for integratingplayer tracking and cash access transactions in a casino environment.Specifically, the invention relates to a system and method, used in avariety of environments including casinos, to facilitatecash-access/credit-access and player tracking.

Casino gaming is a highly popular activity in today's society. Oftentimes, enjoyment of the casino gaming experience is predicated upon aplayer's ability to easily and effectively access a sufficient supply ofmoney, which in turn allows the player to participate in gamingactivities for a desired length of time. Casino patrons typicallyattempt to bring a sufficient amount of currency to the casino that canbe used with various gaming machines or exchanged for negotiable chipsor casino-issued cards. Not infrequently, however, patrons forget tobring a sufficient amount of currency to the casino or patrons depletethe supply they brought before they are ready for the gaming experienceto end.

In these instances, the casino patrons will want to access additionalcurrency, or otherwise extend their time playing the casino games, bywithdrawing the necessary currency from a financial institution at whichthe player maintains an account. For example, a player with a financialinstitution card, such as a credit card, debit card, or bank card, canutilize an automated teller machine (ATM) that is located on thecasino's premises to withdraw currency.

Such financial institution transactions are commonplace in casinos.However, existing cash access and cash advance systems often requiremanual entry of customer identification information as part of thetransaction. Existing systems may also require the players to remembermultiple PIN's that are associated with each of their financialintuition accounts or require that the players retrieve cash at an ATMand then physically transport the cash to a gaming machine. Althoughthese current processes allow access to currency, players continue tolook for more convenience while at the casino. Therefore, a need existsfor a system and method of facilitating expeditious cash/credit accessfor players in a casino environment that minimizes the complicationsthat currently exist for such transactions.

In addition to the complications that hinder current cash/credit accesssystems and methods, these current systems and methods also fail toprovide comprehensive tracking of the players' financial transactions incasinos. While it is commonplace to attempt to track some of thepatrons' actions in a casino that relate to gaming, these attemptstypically fail to capture many financial transactions that occur on thecasino's premises and to provide a comprehensive picture of the cashflow in the casino. Often casinos will provide patrons with playertracking cards that the player inserts at gaming machines, which allowsthe casino to monitor some of the patrons' gaming activities. As anincentive to use the player tracking cards, casinos often award gamingpoints to the patrons to encourage use of the cards. However, manyfinancial transactions that occur in a casino are not effectivelymonitored or tracked by the casino.

The quality and breadth of current player tracking can be increased byproviding additional incentives to the players. Therefore, in additionto the need for facilitating expeditious cash/credit accesstransactions, there is a concurrent need for providing morecomprehensive tracking of players' financial transactions in casinos.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a system and method forintegrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gamingenvironment.

Integrated Player Tracking/Cash Access System on Gaming Machine

One aspect of the present invention relates to a system and method foraccessing and managing funds for cashless gaming. The invention hasapplicability to systems which include traditional gaming machines, suchas dedicated slot or video poker gaming machines located in physicalcasinos, as well as on-line gaming systems such as where a game serverinterfaces with a player's presentation device, such as a player'scomputer, PDA, tablet or the like.

To initiate a transaction, a player provides a bank card or bankcard/account information to the gaming machine (as indicated, such maycomprise a traditional dedicated device or a presentation device whichis coupled to a game server). The phrase “bank card” encompasses anycard issued to the player by a bank or another financial institutionand, as described below, might also include a digital wallet havingassociated bank card information. For instance, the bank card may be anAutomated Teller Machine (ATM) card, debit card, credit card, or POScard. The bank card typically bares a magnetic strip that includesmachine readable information that can be read by a magnetic strip readeron the gaming machine. The bank card may be associated with anindependent financial account that is typically unrelated to the casino.Alternatively, the player may provide bank card or account informationin other manners, such as by providing an image of the bank card orimputing bank card/account information, such as in the form of numericaccount data.

After the player's bank card or other account-identifying information isintroduced to the gaming machine, the machine electronically reads thecard or accepts the bank card/account information and retrieves themachine readable information. The gaming machine processes theinformation to translate it into a machine usable format, such as binaryor hexadecimal code. After successfully processing the bank card, thegaming machine prompts the player to select a transaction type, such asa credit or debit transaction. Upon receiving a selection from theplayer to perform a credit transaction, which requests that credit beadded to the gaming machine, the machine prompts the player to enter adesired credit value that the player wishes to add to the machine. Ifnecessary, the machine will also prompt the player to enter a PersonalIdentification Number (PIN) that is associated with the independentfinancial account.

Once the gaming machine has collected the transaction type and desiredcredit value from the player, along with any other necessaryinformation, the machine electronically issues a request to theindependent financial account to transfer the desired credit value fromthe financial account to the gaming machine or game server. The creditrequest includes the desired credit value and at least a portion of thedata derived from the machine readable information, and the request istransmitted to an authorization center that is associated with thefinancial account. The gaming machine preferably communicates with anauthentication server (such as directly, or in the case of an on-lineenvironment, via a game server or the like), whereby the request istransmitted through the authorization server. The authorization centerdetermines whether to approve the request and acts as an intermediarybetween the gaming machine and the financial account. Upon approval ofthe request, the desired credit value is electronically transferred fromthe financial account to the gaming machine or game server, and theplayer is then able to use the transferred credit on the gaming machine.This system and method allow a player to directly access funds forplaying on a gaming machine without first visiting an ATM or otherintermediate step for acquiring cash or credit.

When the gaming machine prompts the player to select a transaction type,the player may also select a debit transaction on the gaming machine. Adebit transaction requests that the credit remaining on the gamingmachine after the player has finished using the machine, or any creditwon by the player on the gaming machine, be transferred to theindependent financial account. The request effectively attempts to debitthe gaming machine and credit the independent financial account. Uponreceiving a selection from the player to perform a debit transaction,the gaming machine or server electronically issues a request to debitthe player's gaming balance and transfer it to the independent financialaccount. The debit request, which is transferred to the authorizationcenter, includes the dollar value to transfer and at least a portion ofthe machine readable information on the bank card. The authorizationcenter determines whether to approve the request, and, upon approval,the winnings from the gaming machine are electronically transferred tothe independent financial account.

Integrated Player Tracking/Cash Access System on ATM, CCCA, and CheckCashing Terminals

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system and methodfor integrating player tracking and cash access transactions in a gamingenvironment. To initiate a cash access transaction, a player introducesa bank card or bank card/account information (such as information whichidentifies a digital wallet having associated account information) intoa banking machine in a casino environment. The banking machine may takea variety of forms, such as an ATM, Credit Card Cash Advance kiosk(CCCA), Check Cashing Terminal, on-line authorization server, and agaming device equipped with cashless gaming software. As previouslynoted, the term “bank card” includes any of the various card typesissued by banks or other financial institutions, and the bank cardtypically bares a magnetic strip that includes machine readableinformation. The banking machine includes a magnetic strip reader thatcan read and process the machine readable information on the card. Thebank card is also associated with an independent financial account thatis typically unrelated to the casino. Alternatively, as indicatedherein, the banking machine may accept bank card information in othermanners, such as in photographic form, or may accept other bankcard/account information, such as numeric information.

After the player's bank card or other card/account information isintroduced to the banking machine, the machine electronically reads thecard or accepts the bank card/account information and retrieves themachine readable information. The banking machine processes theinformation to translate it into a machine usable format, such as binaryor hexadecimal code. After successfully processing the bank card, thebanking machine prompts the player to enter a transaction type. If theplayer wishes to withdraw cash from the independent financial account,the player may select a cash withdrawal transaction on the bankingmachine and indicate a desired cash value.

The system maintains a database of bankcard numbers and associates eachof those numbers to a player's name and, optionally, a player trackingnumber. In order to track the transaction and associate it with thespecific player performing the cash request, the banking machine promptsthe player to provide his or her player tracking card (PTC) into themachine. The PTC is typically a casino-issued card that includes aunique identifier and is associated with the player in a playertransaction database. The database may include a variety of dataincluding a player profile, player transaction information, and otherdata relating to the player's activities in the casino. The playerswipes or feeds the PTC into the banking machine, and the machineelectronically processes the PTC. For instance, if the unique identifieron the PTC is encoded in a barcode, the banking machine will include abarcode reader capable of reading the barcode and decoding the encodedunique identifier. Alternatively, if the unique identifier on the PTC isencoded in a magnetic strip, the banking machine includes a magneticstrip reader for reading the strip and decoding the unique identifier.

After acquiring the appropriate data from the bank card, the PTC and theplayer, the banking machine electronically issues a request to theindependent financial account to withdraw the desired cash value. Thewithdrawal request includes the desired value and at least a portion ofthe machine readable information on the bank card, and the request istransmitted to an authorization center. The authorization center isassociated with the financial account and determines whether to approvethe request. Upon approval of the request, the desired cash value iselectronically transferred from the financial account to the bankingmachine and dispensed to the player in cash or gaming credit form.

The transaction is tracked so that the player's identity and the cashwithdrawal amount are associated and stored in the transaction database.The transaction information can subsequently be used by the casino. Thetransaction information can provide the casino with valuable consumerbehavior data, such as amounts and frequency of cash withdrawals bycasino patrons. The casino, in turn, may issue gaming points to theplayer. The gaming points reward the player for offering the transactioninformation to the casino and for allowing that information to betracked. Typically, gaming points can be redeemed for a variety of goodsand services, such as free or discounted meals at the casino, hotelaccommodations, and gift shop items. The number of points awarded to theplayer may be based on a variety of factors such as the number of cashwithdrawal transactions performed by the player or the amount of cashwithdrawn by the player. The overall system of integrating cash accessand player tracking transactions thereby benefits both the players andthe casino.

In an alternative embodiment, the system may operate without amulti-function banking machine that is capable of performing both cashaccess and player tracking functions as described above. Rather thanprovide the bank card and the PTC to a banking machine, these same cardsmay instead be presented to a casino representative. For instance, thecasino may provide a central “cage” station at which a teller isavailable for processing the bank card and the PTC. If necessary, theteller will have card readers capable of processing magnetic strips,barcodes, or other forms of encoded information that resides on the bankcard and the PTC. The teller will also have access to the transactiondatabase and the authorization center, thereby allowing the teller tofacilitate cash access and player tracking transactions. Aside from theadded element of interacting with a casino representative, thisalternative method operates similarly to the system described above.

Multi-Function Player Tracking Card

Yet another aspect of the present invention also relates to a system andmethod for integrating player tracking and enhanced cash access servicesin a gaming environment. First, an account is opened for a player at thecasino. The system requires an initial setup by the player, where theplayer provides information to the casino. This is accomplished byhaving the player complete a form that includes personal data andinformation relating to at least one of the player's independentfinancial accounts. For instance, the player may provide the accountinformation for one of the player's banking accounts or credit cardaccounts. The account information may include the player's name andother identifying information, an account and routing number, and aPersonal Identification Number (PIN) if necessary to access thefinancial account. The player may also be required to provide otherpersonal information such as the player's address, telephone number, andsocial security number. The information provided by the player is eitherentered electronically into a computer or entered onto a paper form andlater entered into a computer by a casino representative. The player mayalso be required to prove his or her identity by providing astate-issued identification card, such as a driver's license.Information about the player may also be obtained from third parties orthird party sources.

Once the player has provided the appropriate personal information andaccount information, this information is stored in a player trackingdatabase. The player is then issued a PTC that contains a uniqueidentifier. The unique identifier is also stored in the player trackingdatabase and associated with the player's personal information andfinancial account information.

With the player's casino account successfully opened, the player is ableto use the PTC to access cash or credit for gaming purposes in thecasino. For example, a cash access machine of the present invention,such as a multi-function ATM, may be adapted to electronically processthe PTC. The cash access machine reads and electronically processes thePTC to retrieve the unique identifier. If the unique identifier on thecard is encoded in a barcode, the cash access machine will include abarcode reader capable of reading and decoding the unique identifier.The machine then prompts the player to select a transaction type, and,in response, the player elects to perform a cash withdrawal.

The cash access machine communicates with the player tracking databaseto determine which financial account is associated with the uniqueidentifier on the player's PTC. If more than one financial account isassociated with the unique identifier, the machine may prompt the playerto select one of the accounts for the withdrawal. Next, the cash accessmachine electronically issues a withdrawal request to the selectedfinancial account to withdraw the desired cash value. The requestincludes the desired cash value and the necessary account informationand PIN associated with the financial account, which the player providedat the time he or she opened the casino account.

The withdrawal request is transmitted to an authorization center that isassociated with the financial account, and the authorization centerdetermines whether to approve the request. Upon approval of the request,the desired cash value is electronically transferred from the financialaccount to the cash access machine. If the machine is an ATM, the cashvalue is typically dispensed to the player in cash form, which theplayer can then use in the casino. If the machine is a slot machine, orother gaming machine, the cash value may be directly credited to themachine and used for gaming purposes.

Importantly, because the financial account information is initiallyprovided by the player and stored in the player tracking database, thesubsequent withdrawal request can be issued to the independent financialaccount without requiring a bank card, such as an ATM card or creditcard, from the player. The player tracking database links the uniqueidentifier on the casino-issued PTC with all the necessary financialaccount information necessary to withdraw cash.

The withdrawal transaction is also tracked by the casino such that theunique identifier on the player's card and the cash withdrawal amountare associated with each other and stored in the transaction database.The casino may then issue gaming points to the player based on thenumber of withdrawal transactions or the amount withdrawn. If the playeris identified by the system, the player tracking database may also storethe awarded gaming points and associate them with the player's uniqueidentifier. The gaming points reward the player for offering cashwithdrawal information to the casino and for electing to use the systemof the present invention to obtain cash or credit in the casino. Thesystem thereby benefits both the player and the casino by integratingcash access and player tracking.

Other embodiments are also disclosed including the use of an ATM orsimilarly equipped gaming machine for authorizing the transfer of moneyto the machine or ATM in order to be converted into a casino ticket. Inthis context, a casino ticket can be any number of identification cardsor systems including a paper ticket with a bar code, a magnetic stripecard, a smart card, RFID or other portable digital memory that isencoded with personal and financial information. This casino ticket canthen be used on another gaming machine as credit in connection withcasino gaming or redeemed for cash. In the preferred embodiment, inorder to redeem the casino ticket for cash, the customer can eitherpresent the casino ticket for validation by a cashier at a cashier cageor insert the casino ticket into a ticket redemption kiosk (includingkiosks integrated with one or more casino game machines or othermulti-purpose entertainment devices). The casino ticket could also becreated in a way that permits (or limits) negotiation within differentgeographical areas (such as a group of mutually linked casinos,restaurants and service providers), to acquire different products orservices (such as 50% or more must be used to purchase goods), totrigger different bonuses or awards (free games, discounts, casinopoints), or any number of features that either limit negotiation orenhance the functionality and features available to the player. In oneembodiment, the player account may comprise a digital wallet.

Digital Wallets

Other aspects of the invention comprise the creation and use of digitalwallets. Preferably, information regarding one or more financialaccounts of a player is associated with the player's digital wallet,such as bank (savings/checking) accounts, credit or debit accounts,casino accounts or the like. In addition, use of the digital walletand/or various accounts thereof, may be subject to certain rules orpreferences, such as determined by various rules sets. The digitalwallet may be associated with or be identified by a player's trackingcard/account or may be associated with or be identified by a separatecard or identification information.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to on-line gamingenvironments, linking of vendor and casino systems, and cardless playeridentification.

These and other embodiments will be further described with reference tothe figures below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an integrated player tracking and cashaccess system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for initiating a playertracking/cash access transaction on a gaming machine in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for completing a playertracking/cash access transaction where the gaming machine is credited inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for completing a playertracking/cash access transaction where a credit card account is creditedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for completing a playertracking/cash access transaction where a checking or savings account iscredited in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for integrating player tracking andcash access transactions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a another method for integrating playertracking and cash access transactions in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 provides a flow diagram illustrating one system and method thatcan be used for converting a ATM/POS debit/credit transaction into anegotiable casino ticket linked to a player tracking card in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of alternate integrated player tracking andcash access system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example data file which represents a digitalwallet of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example table of account features sets of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example table of rule sets of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example table of access configurations of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example table of gaming venue policies of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example table of legal jurisdiction policies ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of another system in accordance withthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a integrated player tracking and cash-access system100 is shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the system 100, whichcontains the elements described herein, is operated in a casinoenvironment. As used herein, a “casino environment” may comprise aphysical casino environment, such as a land-based casino, riverboat,cruise ship or the like (i.e. a physical location at which casino-stylewagering is presented, such as via gaming machines and gaming tables),and/or an “on-line” environment, such as where casino-style wagering ispresented to a player via computing device, PDA, tablet or the like,such as via a server. FIG. 1 illustrates a traditional casinoenvironment, while FIG. 9 illustrates such an environment which includeson-line gaming.

Relative to the system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the system 100includes players 110 who interact with a plurality of gaming machines120 and banking machines 130. The players interact with the machinesthrough any methods known in the art such as buttons and touch-sensitivescreens. A player 110 is issued a bank card 135 and a player trackingcard (PTC) 140 as described in more detail herein. The gaming machine120 and the banking machine 130 are configured to read the informationcontained on the bank card 135 and a PTC 140 as provided for in moredetail below.

The gaming machines 120 may have various forms and a plurality offeatures. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, such a gaming machine920 may include a housing or cabinet 962 for enclosing/supportingvarious components of the gaming machine. The housing 962 may have avariety of configurations. In one embodiment, as illustrated, thehousing 962 is configured so that the machine has an “upright”configuration. The casino gaming machine 920 might also be configured asa “slant”-type, “bar-top” or have other forms.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine 926 may be configured as a “video”type gaming machine, the machine including at least one display 964 fordisplaying game information to a player. The gaming machine 920 mayinclude other means for providing information to a player. For example,speakers (not shown) or other devices may be provided for generatingsound associated with the game. The gaming machine 920 may also includelights, printed instructions and other displays/display devices.

The games presented by the gaming machine(s) may be wagering type gameswherein a player must place a bet or wager in order to play the game forthe opportunity to receive winnings. Preferably, if the player is awinner of the game, the player is provided an award, such as a monetarypayout (such as coins), credits representing monetary value, points ortangible prizes. As illustrated, the gaming machine 920 thus includes abill validator/acceptor 966 for accepting paper currency and a coinacceptor 968 for accepting coins. Other means of payment, such as acredit card reader, may be provided. An award of winnings in the form ofcoins may be paid to the player via a coin tray 970.

Preferably, the gaming machine 920 includes means for a player toprovide input. In one embodiment, this means comprises one or morebuttons. For example, a “spin” button 972 may be provided for permittinga player to start a game. One or more wager buttons 974 may be providedfor a player to select the amount to bet on a particular game. Othermeans of input may be provided, such as a touch-screen display and otherdevices now known or later developed.

A game controller (not shown) is provided for controlling the variousdevices of the gaming machine and for generating game information. Forexample, the game controller may be arranged to generate video and audiodata for presentation by the display and speakers of the gaming machine920. The game controller may be arranged to detect a signal from thecoin acceptor indicating the receipt of coins or from the bill validatorregarding accepted bills and for registering credits corresponding tothose inputs, for subtracting credits for wagers placed by a player, andfor causing a coin delivery mechanism to deliver coins from a coinhopper to the coin tray 970 for payment of winnings and/or return to aplayer of unwagered credits. Preferably, the one or more player inputdevices provide an output to the gaming controller for use in play ofthe game. For example, in response to a “bet one” input by a player, thegaming controller is preferably transmitted a signal which causes thegaming controller to initiate presentation of the game.

The gaming machine 920 may include one or more random number generatorsfor generating random game events and results. As indicated above, sucha random number generator might be utilized to generate the game symbolsfor the positions of a matrix, be utilized to generate the base symbols,and be utilized to select award values for each symbol position, amongother things.

As indicated, in one embodiment, game information is displayed by avideo display 964 to a player. That display may be of a variety oftypes, including CRT, LCD, plasma and others. The gaming machine 920 mayalso include more than one video display.

In another embodiment, the gaming machine 920 may include one or morephysical reels capable of displaying symbols. In such a configuration,means are provided for rotating the physical reels. In one or moreembodiments, the means may comprise a mechanical linkage associated witha spin arm, with movement of the spin arm (a “pull”) by a user causingthe reels to spin. In such an arrangement, the reels are generallyallowed to free-wheel and then stop. In another embodiment,electronically controlled mechanisms are arranged to rotate and stopeach reel. Such mechanisms are well known to those of skill in the art.In this arrangement, actuation of the spin arm or depression a spinbutton causes a controller (not shown) to signal the activation of thespin mechanism associated with one or more of the reels. Preferably, thecontroller is arranged to either turn off the signal to the device(s)effecting the rotation of each or all of the reels or generates a signalfor activating a braking device, whereby the reels are stopped. As iswell known, the combinations of reel positions and their odds of hittingare associated with the controller, and the controller is arranged tostop the reels in a position displaying a combination of indicia asdetermined by the controller based on the combinations and odds. Theprincipal of such an arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,419to Telnaes, which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, thebase symbols might be associated with spinning reels. Sets of basesymbols might be generated by spinning those reels.

Such gaming machines 920 may have other configurations, including otherfeatures. For example, the gaming machine 920 may include a playertracking device, such as a card reader 978 and associated keypad 980.Such player tracking devices are well known and may permit the gameoperator to track play of players of the gaming machine. The trackedplay may be utilized to offer player bonuses or awards.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine 920 may be configured to dispensemedia, such as printed paper tickets, which have associated value. Forexample, winnings or unused credits may be returned to the player via aprinted ticket having value or associated value. In one embodiment, thegaming machine 920 might also be configured to accept such media forproviding credit for game play.

A casino may have numerous such gaming machines 920, such as located ona casino floor or in other locations. Of course, such gaming machines920 might be used in other environments, such as an airport, a bar ortavern or other locations.

The PTC 140 is typically a casino-issued card, which is used to trackthe player's actions in the casino or to track the player'scasino-related activities, such as on-line game play as described below.The casino may award gaming points for certain player actions andassociates the gaming points with the PTC.

The bank card 135 may be any type of card that is issued to the player110 by a bank or other independent financial institution, and the bankcard is associated with an independent financial account at thefinancial institution. For instance, the bank card 135 may be anAutomated Teller Machine (ATM) card, debit card, credit card, or POScard. The bank card 135 includes machine readable information, which, ina preferred embodiment, is encoded in a magnetic strip (not shown) onthe card that can be read by a card reader (not shown) on the gamingmachine 120.

As described in more detail below, a player 110 can bring his or herbank card 135 or PTC 140 to either the gaming machine 120 or the bankingmachine 130. The gaming machine 120 is configured to perform traditionalgaming functions, such as providing an interactive slot machine game,and is also configured to allow the player 110 to perform cashlessgaming and player tracking transactions. The banking machine 130 isconfigured to perform traditional transactions such as cash withdrawal,credit/debit transactions, and electronic fund transfers, which are wellknown in the art. The banking machine 130 of the present invention isalso configured to perform cashless gaming and player trackingtransactions as described herein.

To perform these functions, both the gaming machine 120 and the bankingmachine 130 communicate with an authorization server 150 to transmitinformation relating to the bank card 135 and a PTC 140 as well as otherinformation relating to cash-access and player tracking transactions.While the authorization sever 150 is typically located at or near thecasino environment, it may also be physically located outside of thecasino so long as it is configured to communicate with the gamingmachine 120 and the banking machine 130. The casino, or a casino vendor,will typically maintain the authorization server 150 to ensure that itfunctions properly. The authorization server 150 stores a subset of theinformation it receives on a transaction database 160, a cashless gamingdatabase 170, and a player's club database 180. The authorization server150 also retrieves information from these databases, includinginformation that is stored on the databases by the authorization server150 as well as other information that resides on the databases.

The transaction database 160 stores information relating to the player'stransactions including the types of transactions performed by the player110 and the dollar amounts of those transactions. The transactiondatabase 160 associates the transaction information with an identifierthat uniquely identifies the player 110. In addition, the transactiondatabase 160 may also store information regarding the player's credithistory. When a commission is collected for utilizing the integratedplayer tracking and cash-access system 100, the appropriate commissioninformation for each player 110 is also stored on the transactiondatabase 160 as are commission fee overrides for certain players such asVIP's. The cashless gaming database 170 stores financial accountinformation provided by the player 110, and the cashless gaming database170 associates the account information with the player's uniqueidentifier. The gaming points awarded to the player 110 are associatedwith the PTC 140 and stored on the player's club database 180. Theplayer's club database 180 maintains each player's total awarded gamingpoints and increments and decrements the total points according to theplayers' accumulation and usage of points.

The authorization server 150 many also communicate with variousauthorization centers 190 to request authorization for the varioustransactions described herein. The authorization centers 190 aretypically associated with financial accounts owned by the player and areconfigured to either credit or debit those financial accounts.

Integrated Player Tracking/Cash Access System on Gaming Machine

In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, one aspect of thepresent invention relates to a system and method for accessing andmanaging funds for cashless gaming. At step 200, the player 110 selectseither a standard gaming transaction or a cashless gaming transaction,and the banking machine receives the selection. At step 210, if theplayer 110 selects a standard gaming transaction, the gaming machine 120operates as a traditional betting apparatus, such as a slot machine, andthe player 110 uses cash or another known method to acquire credits onthe gaming machine 110.

At step 220, if the player 110 wishes to perform a cashless transaction,which will credit the gaming machine 120, the player 110 provides thebank card 135 to the gaming machine 120. The player 110 swipes the bankcard 135 through a card reader (not shown) of the gaming machine 120 orotherwise introduces the bank card 135 to the gaming machine 120 througha method known in the art.

After the player's bank card 135 is introduced to the gaming machine120, the card reader electronically reads and decodes the machinereadable information on the bank card 135. The gaming machine 120processes the information to translate it into a machine usable format,such as binary or hexadecimal code. After successfully processing thebank card 135, the gaming machine 120 prompts the player to select atransaction type, such as crediting the gaming machine 120 or creditinga financial account that is associated with the bank card 135. At step230, the player 110 selects a cashless transaction type. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the transaction types include“Credit Gaming Machine,” “Credit to Credit Card,” and “Deposit toChecking/Savings.”

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, if the player 110 selects thetransaction type “Credit to Gaming Machine,” step 300, the gamingmachine 120 proceeds with a gaming machine credit transaction, whichrequests that a specified credit be added to the gaming machine 120 fromthe player's independent financial account. At step 310, the gamingmachine 120 prompts the player 110 to enter a desired credit value thatthe player 110 wishes to add to the gaming machine 120. If necessary,the gaming machine 120 will also prompt the player 110 to enter a PIN,which is used to verify permission to access to the independentfinancial account, and any other information that is required totransfer funds from the independent financial account.

At step 320, the gaming machine 120 electronically issues a debitrequest, such as a Point of Sale (POS) debit request, to theauthorization server 150, which attempts to debit the independentfinancial account and credit the gaming machine 120. The requestincludes the desired credit value and at least a portion of the dataderived from the machine readable information.

Although the request attempts to transfer the desired credit value tothe gaming machine 120, the total amount requested from the independentfinancial account may actually exceed the desired credit value when acommission is charged for performing the transaction. The authorizationserver 150 determines the total amount to request from the independentfinancial account; the total amount is typically the desired creditvalue plus a commission or transaction fee. The appropriate commissionmay be determined based on the specific player 110 requesting the fundsand a player profile that is associated with the player. The playerprofile (not shown), which indicates the player's preference level, maybe stored on the transaction database 160 or player's club database 180.For instance, a new player may have a standard commission taken out ofhis or her winnings, whereas a VIP player may have the commission waivedaltogether based on the VIP's player profile.

At step 330, once the total request amount has been established, theauthorization sever 150 transmits the debit request to the authorizationcenter 190, which is associated with the independent financial account.At step 340, the authorization center 190 determines whether to approvethe request. At step 350, if the request is not approved by theauthorization center 190, a decline message is transmitted from theauthorization center 190 to the authorization server 150. Theauthorization server then 150 instructs the gaming machine 120 todisplay a message to the player 110 indicating that the gaming machine120 was not credited and that the player 110 may see a casino cashier(not shown) if the player believes an error has occurred.

At step 360, if the request is approved by the authorization center 190,the desired credit value is electronically transferred from thefinancial account to the gaming machine 120 via the authorization server150. If a commission is required for the transaction, the additionalamount of the commission is also transferred from the independentfinancial account. The desired credit value is credited to the gamingmachine 120, and the player 110 is able to use the transferred credit toplace bets on the gaming machine 120 and perform standard gamingtransactions as described in step 210.

At step 370, the authorization sever 150 tracks the successful request,and data relating to the transaction is stored in the transactiondatabase 160. The data stored in the transaction database 160 mayinclude the dollar value credited to the machine and the commission paidfor the transaction. If the authorization server 150 has identified theplayer 110 performing the transaction, the player's identity may also bestored in the transaction database 160 and associated with the othertransaction data. The authorization server 150 may identify the player110 by requesting that the player enter identifying information into thegaming machine 120. The identifying information may be provided byhaving the player 110 swipe the PTC 140, which uniquely identifies theplayer 110, through the card reader on the gaming machine 120. If theplayer is awarded gaming points for performing a successful cashlessgaming transaction, the points may be accumulated, stored, andassociated with the player 110 on the player's club database 180.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, if the player 110 selects thetransaction type “Credit to Credit Card,” step 400, the gaming machine120 proceeds with a credit to credit card transaction, which requeststhat credit be added to the independent financial account. This type oftransaction is particularly appropriate when the player 110 hascompleted playing on the gaming machine 120 and wishes to “cash out” hisor her winnings or the remaining credit on the gaming machine. Theplayer 110 may cash out either all of the credits or a portion of thecredits. In this aspect of the present invention, the independentfinancial account is typically a credit card account, and the bank card135 is typically a credit card that is associated with the credit cardaccount.

At step 410, the gaming machine 120 prompts the player 110 to enter adesired credit value that the player 110 wishes to add to theindependent financial account that is associated with the bank card 135.If necessary, the gaming machine 120 will also prompt the player 110 toenter a PIN, which is used to verify permission to access to theindependent financial account, and any other information that isrequired to transfer finds to the independent financial account.

At step 420, the gaming machine 120 electronically issues a creditrequest to the authorization server 150. The request includes thedesired credit value and at least a portion of the data derived from themachine readable information on the bank card 135. Although the requestattempts to transfer the desired credit value to the independentfinancial account, the total amount transferred to the independentfinancial account may actually be less than the desired credit value ifa commission is charged for performing the transaction. Theauthorization server 150 determines the total amount to request totransfer to the independent financial account. The total amount istypically the desired credit value less a commission or transaction fee.

At step 430, once the total request amount has been established, theauthorization sever 150 transmits the credit request to theauthorization center 190, which is associated with the independentfinancial account. At step 440, the authorization center 190 determineswhether to approve the request, and if the request is approved, theindependent financial account is credited with the total request amount.At step 450, if the request is not approved by the authorization center190, a decline message is transmitted from the authorization center 190to the authorization server 150. The authorization server then 150instructs the gaming machine 120 to display a message to the player 110indicating that the independent financial account was not credited.

At step 460, if the request is approved and the total request amount iscredited to the independent financial account, the authorization server150 receives notification from the authorization center 190 of thesuccessful request, and the authorization server 150 updates thetransaction database 160 to reflect the completed transaction. Datarelating to the transaction, such as the dollar value credited to thefinancial account and the commission paid for the transaction, is storedon the transaction database 160. If the authorization server 150 hasidentified the player 110 performing the transaction, the player'sidentity may also be stored in the transaction database 160 andassociated with the other transaction data. If the player is awardedgaming points for performing a successful cashless gaming transaction,the points may be accumulated, stored, and associated with the player110 on the player's club database 180. At step 470, the authorizationserver 150 transmits a receipt message to the gaming machine 120, and atstep 480, the gaming machine 120 issues a receipt to the player 110.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, if the player 110 selects thetransaction type “Deposit to Checking/Savings,” step 500, the gamingmachine 120 proceeds with a deposit to checking or savings accounttransaction. This transaction requests that a deposit be made to theindependent financial account. In this aspect of the present invention,the independent financial account is typically a checking or savingsaccount, and the bank card 135 is typically an ATM card that isassociated with the checking or savings account. This type oftransaction is also appropriate when the player 110 has completedplaying on the gaming machine 120 and wishes to cash out.

At step 510, the gaming machine 120 prompts the player 110 to enter adesired credit value that the player 110 wishes to add to theindependent financial account that is associated with the bank card 135.If necessary, the gaming machine 120 will also prompt the player 110 toenter a PIN, which is used to verify permission to access to theindependent financial account, and any other information that isrequired to transfer finds to the independent financial account.

At step 520, the gaming machine 120 electronically transmits a depositrequest to the authorization server 150. The request includes thedesired deposit value and at least a portion of the data derived fromthe machine readable information on the bank card 135. The authorizationserver 150 determines the total amount to request to transfer to theindependent financial account. The total amount is typically the desireddeposit value less a commission or transaction fee.

At step 530, once the total request amount has been established, theauthorization sever 150 issues a deposit request, such as an AutomatedClearing House (ACH) request, to the authorization center 190, which isassociated with the independent financial account. At step 540, theauthorization center 190 determines whether to approve the request, andif the request is approved, the total request amount is deposited in theindependent financial account. At step 550, if the request is notapproved by the authorization center 190, a decline message istransmitted from the authorization center 190 to the authorizationserver 150. The authorization server then 150 instructs the gamingmachine 120 to display a message to the player 110 indicating that thedeposit was not made to the independent financial account.

At step 560, if the request is approved and the total request amount isdeposited in the independent financial account, the authorization server150 receives notification from the authorization center 190 of thesuccessful request, and the authorization server 150 updates thetransaction database 160 to reflect the deposit. Data relating to thetransaction, such as the dollar value deposited to the financial accountand the commission paid for the transaction, is stored in thetransaction database 160. If the authorization server 150 has identifiedthe player 110 performing the transaction, the player's identity mayalso be stored in the transaction database 160 and associated with theother transaction data. If the player is awarded gaming points forperforming a successful cashless gaming transaction, the points may beaccumulated, stored, and associated with the player 110 on the player'sclub database 180. At step 570, the authorization server 150 transmits areceipt message to the gaming machine 120, and at step 580, the gamingmachine 120 issues a receipt to the player 110.

Integrated Player Tracking/Cash Access System on ATM, CCCA, and CheckCashing Terminals

In another aspect of the present invention, the system 100 provides forintegrating player tracking and cash access transactions. As previouslydescribed, when the player 110 requests a credit transfer to the gamingmachine 120 using the bank card 135, the machine may prompt the player110 to provide the PTC 140 to identify the player to the gaming machine.Further, when the player attempts to obtain cash from the bankingmachine 130 using the bank card 140, the banking machine 130 may alsoprompt the player to provide the PTC 140 as described herein.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, to initiate a cash access transaction,the player 110 introduces the bank card 135, which is associated withthe player's independent financial account, into the banking machine130, at step 600. In a preferred embodiment, the machine readableinformation on the bank card 135 is encoded in a magnetic strip, and theplayer 110 swipes the bank card 135 through the card reader (not shown)of the banking machine 130. The card reader is configured to read theencoded magnetic strip. After the player's bank card 135 is introducedto the banking machine 130, the card reader electronically reads anddecodes the machine readable information on the banking card. Thebanking machine 130 processes the information to translate it into ausable format.

In addition to providing the bank card 135 to the banking machine 130,the player 110 also enters into the banking machine 130 a desired cashvalue that the player wishes to obtain from the banking machine 130. Ifnecessary, the player 110 will also enter a PIN, which is used to verifypermission to access to the independent financial account, and any otherinformation that is required to access funds from the independentfinancial account.

At step 605, the banking machine 130 prompts the player to provide thePTC 140, and at step 610, the player 110 decides whether to provide thePTC 140. If the player 110 does not decide to provide the PTC 140, thebanking machine 130 proceeds with the cash access transaction. At step615, the banking machine 130 electronically issues a request to theauthorization server 150, which attempts to obtain cash from theindependent financial account. The request includes the desired cashvalue and at least a portion of the data derived from the machinereadable information on the bank card 135. Although the request attemptsto transfer the desired cash value to the player 110, the total amountrequested from the independent financial account may actually exceed thedesired cash value to allow for commissions and bank charges that may beassessed for performing the transaction.

The authorization server 150 determines the total amount to request fromthe independent financial account, which is typically the desired cashvalue plus the commission or transaction fee. As previously described,the commission or transaction fee may be determined based on the playerprofile of the player 110. Once the total request amount has beenestablished, the authorization sever 150 transmits the cash request tothe authorization center 190, which is associated with the independentfinancial account.

At step 620, the authorization center 190 determines whether to approvethe request. At step 625, if the request is not approved by theauthorization center 190, a decline message is transmitted from theauthorization center 190 to the authorization server 150. Theauthorization server then 150 instructs the banking machine 130 todisplay a message to the player 110 indicating that the request failed.At step 630, if the request is approved by the authorization center 190,an authorization message is transmitted from the authorization center190 to the banking machine 130. The desired cash value is dispensed bythe banking machine 130 to the player 110. If a commission is requiredfor the transaction, the additional amount of the commission is alsotransferred from the independent financial account to the partyreceiving the commission.

Returning to step 610, where the player 110 decides whether to providethe PTC 140, if the player 110 chooses to provide his or her PTC 140 tothe banking machine 130, the system 100 will be able to track the cashaccess transaction performed by the player 110. At step 635, if theplayer provides the PTC 140 to the banking machine 130, the bankingmachine reads the PTC. The PTC 140 includes machine readableinformation, which is stored on the PTC by a storage means such as amagnetic strip, barcode, integrated circuit, digital image, opticalmemory, or finger imaging.

The banking machine 130 is configured to read the machine readableinformation on the PTC 140, and at step 640 the banking machine 130attempts capture the machine readable information. If the machinereadable information is encoded, the banking machine 130 attempts todecode the information into a usable format. The banking machine 130determines whether the machine readable information on the PTC 140 isreadable and correctly formatted, and, if not, the banking machine 130displays a message to the player 110 indicating the error.

If the machine readable information is readable and correctly formatted,the banking machine 130 attempts to identify the player 110 anddetermine whether the PTC can be validated against the transactiondatabase 160 or the player's club database 180 by transmitting thedecoded information from the banking machine 130 to the authorizationserver 150. The authorization server 150 then communicates with thetransaction database 160 or the player's club database 180 to verifythat the PTC is valid and to identify the player 110. If the PTC cannotbe validated against one of the databases, the banking machine 130displays a message to the player 110 indicating the error. If the PTC issuccessfully validated, the banking machine 130 continues processing therequest.

Once the banking machine 130 collects the necessary transactioninformation, the machine electronically issues a request to theauthorization server 150, which attempts to obtain cash from theindependent financial account. The request includes the desired cashvalue and at least a portion of the data derived from the machinereadable information on the bank card 135. As described herein, thetotal amount requested from the independent financial account mayactually exceed the desired cash value to account for commissions andbank charges that may be assessed for performing the transaction. Theauthorization server 150 determines the total amount to request from theindependent financial account. Once the total request amount has beenestablished, the authorization sever 150 transmits the cash request tothe authorization center 190, which is associated with the independentfinancial account.

At step 645, the authorization center 190 determines whether to approvethe request. At step 650, if the request is not approved by theauthorization center 190, a decline message is transmitted from theauthorization center 190 to the authorization server 150. Theauthorization server 150 then instructs the banking machine 130 todisplay a message to the player 110 indicating that the request failed.Although the transaction was not successful insofar as the player 110did not receive the requested cash, the transaction information istracked and recorded nonetheless. At step 655, upon receiving thedecline message, the authorization server 150 stores the relevanttransaction information on the transaction database 160.

Returning to step 645, where the authorization center 190 determineswhether to approve the request, if the request is approved by theauthorization center 190, an authorization message is transmitted fromthe authorization center 190 to the banking machine 130 via theauthorization server 150 at step 660. The desired cash value isdispensed by the banking machine 130 to the player 110. If a commissionis required for the transaction, the additional amount of the commissionis also transferred from the independent financial account to the partyreceiving the commission. At step 665, upon receiving the authorizationmessage, the authorization server 150 stores the relevant transactioninformation on the transaction database 160.

Multi-Function Player Tracking Card

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the system 100 providesfor an alternate method of performing integrated player tracking andcash access transactions. In this aspect of the present invention, amethod is provided that facilitates player tracking and cash accesstransactions with a single card, rather than with the combination of thebank card 135 and the player tracking card 140. This aspect of theinvention requires the player to initially provide financial accountinformation to the casino, and that information is stored in thecashless gaming database 170. A subsequent withdrawal request can thenbe issued to the independent financial account without requiring a bankcard, such as an ATM card or credit card, as described herein.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, at step 700 the player 110 opens anaccount with the casino or with a vendor that manages accounts on thecasino's behalf. To open the account, the player 110 provides specificinformation to the casino. This can be accomplished by the player 110completing a form that includes personal data and information relatingto the player's independent financial account. As previously described,the independent financial account may be any type of financial account,such as a banking account or credit card account. The player 110 mayalready have a card associated with the financial account, such as anATM card, a credit/debit card. Alternatively, where the financialaccount is a checking account, the player might have existing checksthat include a routing number and an account number, which the playercan provide to the casino.

The account information provided by the player 110 may include data suchas the player's name and other identifying information, an account androuting number, and a PIN. The player 110 may also be required toprovide other personal information such as the player's address,telephone number, and social security number. The player 110 may havealready provided some of this information to the casino, for instance,if the player 110 previously applied for a player tracking card 140. Ifthe casino already has the player's personal information, it may not benecessary to re-acquire the information. The player 110 may also berequired to prove his or her identity at the time the account is openedby providing a state-issued identification card, such as a driver'slicense.

Information about the player may also be obtained from third parties orthird party sources. For example, subject to the player's consent,information about the player might be obtained from source creditreporting agencies or the like. Information obtained from the player maybe augmented with such third party source information and/or the thirdparty source information may be used to authenticate or confirminformation which was provided by the player. The third party sourceinformation may be stored in the Cashless Gaming Database 170 and thePlayer's Club Database 160. Should a player establish account atmultiple casinos, the previously obtained and verified information canbe made available via the authorization server 150, thus greatlysimplifying the player's enrollment process and the cost ofverification.

The information which a player may be required to provide may vary, suchas to comply with local jurisdictional rules or regulations. In someinstances, such as based upon jurisdictional rules or regulations, aplayer may be permitted or required to set limits upon aspects of theirgaming activity such as, but not limited to, wagering amounts, game playtime or combinations thereof. The player may provide some or all of thisinformation to a casino via a printed form (where after the data may bemanually entered or scanned) or via an online/Internet based data entryform.

At step 705, the information provided by the player is either enteredelectronically into a computer or written on a paper form and laterentered into a computer by a casino representative. Once the casino hasacquired the necessary information from the player 110, the financialaccount information and the player's personal information are stored andassociated in the cashless gaming database 170. The player 110 is issueda unique identifier, typically a number or alpha-numeric string that isalso stored on the cashless gaming database 170 and associated with theplayer's financial account information.

At step 710, once the casino has acquired the necessary personalinformation and financial account information from the player 110, thecasino issues the player 110 a PTC 140 that bears the unique identifierthat was assigned to the player 110 and stored in the cashless gamingdatabase 170. The unique identifier borne by the PTC 140 is readable byboth the gaming machine 120 and the banking machine 130. As describedherein, the gaming machine 120 and the banking machine 130 can read theunique identifier on the PTC 140, communicate with the cashless gamingdatabase 170, and match the unique identifier with the player'sfinancial account information and personal information stored on thecashless gaming database 170.

The player 110 may now use the PTC 140 to access cash or credit from thegaming and banking machines, or to perform any other function that couldotherwise be performed by an ATM card or a credit/debit card that isassociated with the independent financial account. For instance, if theplayer 110 introduces the PTC 140 to the gaming machine 120, the playermay request that a credit be added to the gaming machine directly fromthe independent financial account. Alternatively, if the player 110introduces the PTC 140 to the banking machine 130, the player may issuea cash request from the financial account without providing a bank card.

The following example describes the process of accessing cash from thebanking machine 130 with the PTC 140, but a similar process may beperformed to access credit on the gaming machine 120 with the PTC 140.At step 715, the player 110 initiates a cash access transaction byintroducing the PTC 140 into the banking machine 130. As previouslydescribed, the machine readable information on the PTC 140 is encoded,and the player 110 swipes the PTC 140 through the card reader of thebanking machine 130, which handles the encoded information. After theplayer's PTC 140 is introduced to the banking machine 130, the cardreader retrieves the unique identifier on the PTC by electronicallyreading and decoding the machine readable information.

In addition to providing the PTC 140 to the banking machine 130, theplayer 110 also enters into the banking machine 130 a desired cash valuethat the player 110 wishes to obtain. If necessary, the player 110 alsoenters a PIN, which is used to verify permission to access to theindependent financial account, and any other information that isrequired to access funds from the independent financial account.

At step 720, the unique identifier on the PTC 140 is matched to the sameunique identifier that is stored on the cashless gaming database 170. Toaccomplish this step, the banking machine 130 transmits the uniqueidentifier read from the PTC 140 to the authorization server 150. Theauthorization server 150, in turn, communicates with the cashless gamingdatabase 170 in an attempt to match the unique identifier with theidentifiers stored on the cashless gaming database 170. Theauthorization server 150 transmits the unique identifier read from thePTC 140 to the cashless gaming database 170 and issues a query todetermine whether the same unique identifier is stored on the cashlessgaming database 170. Once the cashless gaming database 170 locates theunique identifier issued in the query, at step 725, the cashless gamingdatabase 170 retrieves the financial account information associated withthe unique identifier and transmits the appropriate financial accountinformation to the authorization server 150. The specific financialaccount information retrieved is dependent upon the cash accesstransaction requested by the player 110 in step 715 and the type offinancial account from which the cash is being requested. For instance,certain requests may require an account routing number or a PIN, whereasthis information may not be appropriate for other types of cash accessrequests.

At step 730, the authorization server 150 electronically issues arequest to obtain cash from the independent financial account. Therequest includes the desired cash value and at least a portion of thefinancial account information retrieved from the cashless gamingdatabase 170. Although the request attempts to transfer the desired cashvalue to the player 110, the total amount requested from the independentfinancial account may actually exceed the desired cash value to accountfor commissions and bank charges that may be assessed for performing thetransaction. The authorization server 150 determines the total amount torequest from the independent financial account, and once the totalrequest amount has been established, the authorization sever 150transmits the cash request to the authorization center 190, which isassociated with the independent financial account.

At step 735, the authorization center 190 determines whether to approvethe request. At step 740, if the request is not approved by theauthorization center 190, a decline message is transmitted from theauthorization center 190 to the authorization server 150. Theauthorization server then 150 instructs the banking machine 130 todisplay a message to the player 110 indicating that the request failed.Although the transaction was not successful insofar as the player 110did not receive the requested cash, the transaction information istracked and recorded nonetheless. Upon receiving the decline message,the authorization server 150 stores the relevant transaction informationon the transaction database 160.

Returning to step 735, where the authorization center 190 determineswhether to approve the request, if the request is approved by theauthorization center 190, an authorization message is transmitted fromthe authorization center 190 to the banking machine 130 via theauthorization server 150 at step 745. At step 750, the desired cashvalue is dispensed by the banking machine 130 to the player 110. If acommission is required for the transaction, the additional amount of thecommission is also transferred from the independent financial account tothe party receiving the commission. At step 755, the transactioninformation is tracked and recorded in the transaction database 160.Upon receiving the authorization message, the authorization server 150stores the relevant transaction information on the transaction database160.

In another aspect of the present invention, the player 110 interactingwith the gaming machine 120 may similarly use the PTC 140 and thefinancial account information stored on the cashless gaming database 170to transfer the desired cash value to the player by directly creditingthe gaming machine 120 from the independent financial account. The stepsrequired to perform this type of transaction are comparable to the stepsdescribed in FIG. 7, the primary differences being that the player 110interacts with the gaming machine 120 rather than the banking machine130 and rather than receiving the desired value in cash form, thedesired value is credited directly to the gaming machine 120 from theindependent financial account.

Because the transaction data may constitute valuable information to thecasino, the casino may issue gaming points to the player 110 based onthe number of withdrawal transactions performed by the player 110 withthe PTC 140 or the amount withdrawn in those transactions. The awardedgaming points may be stored in the transaction database 160 or theplayer's club database 180 and associated with the unique identifier onthe player's PTC 140. The system 100 thereby benefits both the playerand the casino by integrating cash access and player tracking.

FIG. 8 provides a flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the banking machine 140 can beused to dispense a casino ticket or other identification card thatrepresents a cash value. In the first step, the casino patron (customer)swipes their identification card (such as a debit card, a credit card, astate issued ID or other identification token) and selects a financialtransaction. In this example, the selected financial transaction wouldbe the acquisition of a casino “ticket”. Following selection, an amountof money is entered and an account type is selected, such as an ATMand/or POS debit or credit request. In the preferred embodiment, anaccount type is selected in order to minimize any fees, overhead and/ormonetary limits. For example, a POS debit transaction may be preferredbecause it provides a higher limit withdrawal limit. Once the withdrawalamount and financial account have been collected, the banking machine140 requires confirmation of identity by asking for a secret password,or code or other security device. Once the player 110 confirms his/heridentity, the banking machine 140 will perform the requested transactionby transmitting request information to the ATM/Credit/POS debit network800.

In the preferred embodiment, a third party intermediary records auditinformation associated with any requests and approvals in order tosupport redemption and anti-fraud detection systems managed by a casinoor by the third party intermediary. Following approval of thetransaction and creation of an audit trail, a casino ticket (not shown)with the withdrawal value (or some portion thereof) is issued to theplayer 110 by the banking machine 140. In this context, a casino ticketcan be any number of identification cards or systems including a paperticket with a bar code, a magnetic stripe card, a smart card, RFID orother portable digital memory that is encoded with personal andfinancial information. This casino ticket can then be used on a gamingmachine as credit in connection with casino gaming or redeemed for cash.In the preferred embodiment, the customer 120 can either present thecasino ticket for validation by a cashier at a cashier cage 820 orinsert the casino ticket into a ticket redemption kiosk (includingkiosks integrated with one or more casino game machines or othermulti-purpose entertainment devices).

FIG. 8 provides a flow diagram illustrating one system that can be usedfor converting a ATM/POS debit/credit transaction into a negotiablecasino ticket that can be linked to a player tracking system. As oneskilled in the art would know, such a system provides a number ofadvantages over the prior art. The casino ticket could be negotiablewithin different areas (such as a group of mutually linked casinos,restaurants and service providers), to acquire different products orservices (such as 50% or more must be used to purchase goods), totrigger different bonuses or awards (free games, discounts, casinopoints), or any number of features that either limit negotiation orenhance the functionality and features available to the player 110.

For example, a customer/player 110 could link a debit card with aplayer-tracking card in a casino database such that, whenever that samedebit card is used to acquire a casino ticket, the ticket is encodedwith that customer's player tracking code or ID. This could further beused to initiate certain security procedures or verifications that arestored in the casino's database that is associated with that playertracking code. A player could be asked to enter certain identificationinformation (something they know, something they have or something theyare) on certain types of types of machines. Likewise, gaming featurescould be provided at casino gaming machines in which such a casinoticket was entered. A customer that has entered a casino ticket onto agame machine could be provided with gaming audio and visual content thatis associated with the user in the casino's player tracking/customerdatabase. This embodiment provides a number of advantages. The casinoticket provides a simple financial tool that is highly managed from bothan access standpoint (through dynamic security), from a negotiationstandpoint (where it can be used and how) that is still highly portableand personalized.

Additional aspects of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 9. As described in more detail below, the present invention may beimplemented in other environments and in other ways. In particular, theinvention may be implemented relative to “on-line” environments wherethe gaming machine is essentially virtual (such as where server-basedgames are presented to remote players, rather than just via traditionalgaming machines) and wherein physical player tracking and/or bankingcards (or other physical media) are not required.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in one embodiment, a system 900 may again beconfigured to include one or more traditional gaming machines 920, suchas may be located at one or more physical casinos. Preferably, thesystem 900 is also configured to present on-line games to a player, suchas via one or more presentation devices 922 (it being understood thatwhile there may be two or more presentation devices 922, for convenienceherein, the system is primarily described relative to a player's use ofa “presentation device 922”). In such a configuration, the system 900may include one or more game servers 924 (it being understood that whilethere may be numerous game servers 924, for convenience herein, thesystem 900 is primarily described relative to a single “game server924”). In this arrangement, the “gaming machine” is a combination of thepresentation device 922 and the game server 924.

The presentation device 922 may be a dedicated/special purpose device ormay be a general purpose device. The presentation device 922 ispreferably an electronic device, and more preferably a computing device.The presentation device 922 may include at least one video display 928capable of displaying game information, at least one player input device929, and at least one communication interface.

The presentation device 922 might comprise, for example, a desktopcomputer 932, a telephone (including cellular, wireless or wiredtelephones) or PDA 934 (such as an iPhone®), a laptop or notebookcomputer 936, or various other devices. As indicated, the presentationdevice 922 might also comprise a special purpose device such as aspecially configured gaming tablet.

The player input device 929 might comprise, for example, a keyboard,mouse, joystick, touch-screen, button(s), track-balls or other devicesnow known or later configured and which are capable of receiving inputfrom a player. The communication interface is preferably configured topermit information or data to be exchanged from one or more remotedevice or locations with the presentation device 922. The one or morecommunication interface might support wired or wireless communicationsusing various protocols. For example, if the presentation device 922 isa PDA, the communications might be by 3G, 4G, IMT, GSM or the like. Ifthe presentation device 922 is a desktop computer, the communicationsmight be by TCP/IP or the like. Of course, other protocols may be usedsuch as Bluetooth, 802.11xx and the like.

It will be appreciated that the presentation device 922 may includeother components. For example, the presentation device 922 may include amain processor, a video and/or audio processor, input and output portsor the like.

The game server 924 is preferably configured to either transmit gamecode to a remote location, execute game code and transmit game data orresults to a remote location, or both, whereby a game may be presentedto a user at a remote location, such as a player's presentation device922. For example, the game server 924 may execute game code to implementa video poker game and then transmit game data such as data representingimages of cards to the player's presentation device 922. In anotherembodiment, the game server 924 might transmit game code to the player'spresentation device 922 for execution by that device, wherein the gamedata is generated at the remote or mobile device. A single game server924 may be configured to service one or more players and there may bemore than one such server 924.

Preferably, in at least one embodiment, the game server 924 offers oneor more games to a player. Most preferably, the games are wagering orcasino-style games.

In one embodiment, the game server 924 comprises means for generatinggame data or information and may also include means for receiving playerinput. Such means may comprise at least one processor. The processor isconfigured generate game information, such as based upon the executionof machine readable game code (i.e. software). Of course, the processorcould also be pre-programmed or configured as hardware configured togenerate such game data.

In one embodiment, the game server 924 includes means for storinginformation or instructions. Such means may comprise one or more memorydevices. Such might comprise RAM, ROM (including EPROM, EEPROM, PROM) orother devices now known or later developed. The game server 924 mightinclude one or more other memory devices, such as for storing game stateinformation or the like, as detailed below. In one embodiment, the gameserver 924 might comprise or be in communication with one or more massdata storage devices, such as one or more hard drives or the like.

The game server 924 preferably also includes at least one communicationinterface, by which the game server 924 may receive and transmitinformation. As with the presentation devices 922, the communicationinterface(s) may permit communications in accordance with variousprotocols and in various forms. In one embodiment, the communicationinterface may be configured so that the game server 924 may transmit andreceive data in accordance with a TCP/IP protocol over a wired networklink with the Internet.

The game server 924 might actually comprise a system or network of aplurality of elements or device For example, the game server 924 mightcomprise a network or system which includes multiple servers and relateddevices such as data storage devices, user interface features and thelike. Such might comprise, for example, a user station which includes avideo display and one or input devices (such as a keyboard, mouse or thelike). Such a user station may permit an operator to interface with andmanage or control the game server 924, such as to change operatorsettings and the like. The game server 924 might also comprise a routerand one or more separate computing devices. The functions of the variouscomputing devices might be segregated. For example, one computing deviceor server might provide core social media functions while another servermight support or enable social media site gaming-related activity.

As described in more detail below, at one or more times a presentationdevice 922 and the game server 924 are linked by a communication link938 between their communication interfaces. The type of communicationlink may vary, such as depending upon the particular type ofpresentation device 922 and/or the communication path or protocol whichis utilized.

In one embodiment, the presentation device 922 and the game server 924may communicate through at least one network. Such a network mightcomprise a public and/or private network, including the Internet, acellular network, a satellite communication network or the like. Thenetwork may comprise wired and/or wireless links or pathways. Of course,the communication link might comprise a dedicated link, such as adedicated wired link between the devices. Further, the communicationlink might comprise a number of local, wide area or other networks orpathways linked together.

As indicated above, the system 900 may include one or more gamingmachines 920. The gaming machines 920 may be part of a gaming system,such as a casino gaming system which links multiple of the gamingmachines, one or more table games and other devices such as kiosks,accounting systems or servers, progressive systems or servers, playertracking systems or servers or the like. As used herein, the term“gaming machine” may include other types of gaming machines or device.Such might comprise, for example, gaming tables. Such tables may bemanually operated or be fully or partially automated. A variety of gamesmay be offered at such tables. Of course, the gaming machines mayinclude other types of devices as well.

As indicated above and as illustrated in FIG. 9, the system 900 of theinvention may further comprise other systems and components similar tothose illustrated in FIG. 1 and described above.

As indicated briefly above, while the present invention may beimplemented relative to traditional gaming machines 920 and systemsincluding such gaming machines, the present invention may also beimplemented relative to systems which present games remotely, such as inan on-line environment. For example, the methods of the invention may beimplemented relative to a system 900 which is illustrated in FIG. 9.

As one example, a player 910 may swipe their bank card 135 or PTC 140 ata presentation device 922 (when the presentation device 922 has anintegral reader or when a peripheral reader is coupled to thepresentation device 922, such as via a communication interface thereof).Upon swiping their bank card 135 or PTC 140, the player may engage in astandard gaming transaction, cashless gaming transaction or the like insimilar manner to that described above.

Notably, the present invention may be implemented without use of a cardwhatsoever. For example, player account information may be associatedwith an RFID tag, a media which bears printed information such as a barcode, or other types of media. Thus, as used herein, the term “swipe” isnot limited to merely passing a magnetically coded element relative to areader (of a gaming machine 920 or a presentation device 922), but mightcomprise optically reading information, reading an RFID tag or acquiringinformation in other manners. In addition, it is possible for the playerto provide account information without use of any media whatsoever. Forexample, a player might input account-identifying information, such asvia a keypad 980 of a gaming machine 920 or via an input device 929 of apresentation device 922.

As one example, a player's bank account might be identified by a numericaccount number. The player might input that account number to the gamingmachine 920 or the presentation device 922. The player might further berequired to input a PIN or other verification code. Likewise, a player'sPCT account might be identified by a numeric account number (or otheridentifier which may comprise symbols, numbers, letters or combinationsthereof). The player might input that account number to the gamingmachine 920 or the presentation device 922. The player might againfurther be required to input a PIN or other verification code. In thismanner, a player can identify themselves and/or access their bank or PTCaccount without a physical media.

Relative to the on-line environment, once a player has inputted theiraccount information, the authorization server 950 processes the player'sfinancial request in a similar manner to that described above andillustrated in FIGS. 3-5. For example, if authorization is approved, thetransaction database is again updated and a receipt message may beprovided to the player via their presentation device 922 (such a messagemay, for example, be transmitted from the authorization server 950 tothe game server 924 and thereon to the player's presentation device922). A player may use associated funds to place one or more wagers toplay wagering or other games which are offered or supported by the gameserver 924.

In the online environment, account information (whether read from a cardor input by the player) may be encrypted by the presentation device 922before it is forwarded to the authorization server 950. Theauthorization server 950 then decrypts and uses the account/card data todetermine if the information relates to a bank card 135 or a PTC 140.The player and financial information associated with the card isretrieved from the Cashless Gaming Database 960. Information previouslyprovided by the player for their account in the Cashless Gaming Database960 can be used to determine the default financial account and thedefault amount of the transaction or the player can be prompted for thisinformation. The cash access transaction is then processed with theAuthorization Centers 190 and The Player's Club Database 180 and theTransaction Database 160 are updated accordingly.

In another method of using a single card to identify a player, thepresentation device 922 may be equipped with a camera (either integratedor as an associated peripheral device). The player may be prompted totake a photograph of the PTC 140 or their bank card 135. Depending uponthe type of bank card being used, a photograph of both sides of the cardmay be required. The photograph is forwarded from the presentationdevice 922 to the authorization server 950. The authorization server 950may perform an Optical Character Read “OCR” of the photo to extract thecard number from the photograph. If the card number can be extractedthen it is used to reference the players account in the Cashless GamingDatabase 960. Assuming the card number extracted from the photographmatches a card number previously provided by the player, a transactioncan be processed. Other information previously provided by the playerfor their account in the Cashless Gaming Database 960 can be used todetermine the default financial account and the default amount of thetransaction or the player can be prompted for this information. The cashaccess transaction is then processed with the Authorization Centers 990and The Player's Club Database 980 and the Transaction Database 960 areupdated accordingly.

Because the success rate of OCR scanning of photographs can vary widely,another method of using a single card to identify a player may beimplemented. In this method the PTC 140 is printed with a barcode suchas PDF417 as documented in ISO standard 15438. Other bar code formatssuch as QR Code may also be used. If desired, the barcode may be printedon documents distinct from the PTC 140 or distributed as an electronicdocument to the player. The presentation device 922 may be equipped withscanning software that can examine an image received by a camera. Theplayer is prompted by the presentation device 922 to scan the barcodeprinted on their PTC 140 or other document. The data scanned isforwarded to the authorization server 950. The authorization serverexamines the player account in the Cashless Gaming Database 960.Assuming the scanned bar code data matches data previously associatedwith the player's account a transaction can be processed. Otherinformation previously provided by the player for their account in theCashless Gaming Database 960 can be used to determine the defaultfinancial account and the default amount of the transaction or theplayer can be prompted for this information. The cash access transactionis then processed with the Authorization Centers 990 and The Player'sClub Database 980 and the Transaction Database 960 are updatedaccordingly.

Casino Digital Wallet

As indicated above, in one embodiment of the invention informationregarding a player and information regarding a player's financialaccounts are obtained and stored. This information may be linked to aplayer's tracking account or player tracking identifier. As one aspectof the invention, information regarding a player and/or informationregarding a player's financial accounts may be part of a casino digitalwallet. In one embodiment, the player's digital wallet may be linked toor accessed via their PTC 140 or player tracking account identifier. Inother embodiments, as described in more detail below, a player's digitalwallet may be linked to other identification cards or information (suchas a vendor access card rather than a PTC 140).

For example, as detailed below, a player's casino digital wallet maycontain or comprise information which includes one or more of thefollowing: (1) player name or other player-identifying information; and(2) credit cards/accounts from various institutions, a plurality ofdebit card/account options, credit from a specific casino, checking orsavings accounts, credit from a clearinghouse acting as a broker betweenfinancial institutions and the casino where credit may be desired,wagering instruments in various currencies, non-monetary currencies suchas earned loyalty points and promotional credits and even other wallets.

FIG. 10 represents one embodiment of a casino digital wallet 1000 of thecurrent invention. The casino digital wallet 1000 provides for storageof information needed to conduct financial transactions in a gamingenvironment. This information preferably includes identity information1002 which identifies the owner of the wallet 1000, their credentials1004, a default feature set 1006 and a default rule set 1008 for thewallet. The owner's credentials 1004 may include common identifiers suchas mobile phone numbers, email addresses, PTCs which can be used to linkto the owner of the wallet 1000 and vice versa. These credentials 1004may also contain digital certificates which uniquely identify the ownerand/or the wallet 1000 which can be used to confirm identity,participate in electronic authentications and communications whentechnologies such as DSA signatures, TLS and Public key Infrastructuresrequire.

As illustrated, each financial account 1010 may be given a descriptivename 1012 and an account ID 1014 within the wallet 1000. If there is anexternal account reference number, that too may be stored in the wallet1000. External account reference numbers may capture such things ascredit card numbers and bank account numbers which are essential toconducting transactions between the wallet 1000 and externalinstitutions. If known, the balance 1016 in the financial account may bestored in the wallet. However, for externally based accounts it may benecessary to inquire and update this balance at the time of eachtransaction.

Each account depicted in the wallet 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 may beassigned a specific set of features called a feature set 1006. Thesefeature configurations may be shared across financial accounts. Thefeature set 1006 preferably dictates the fundamental transactions thatare possible for the wallet 1000 to perform using a player's financialaccount. While, as described below, a feature set 1022 may be associatedwith each individual account, if a feature set is not defined for aparticular account, the default wallet level feature set 1006 may beutilized.

Rules for controlling balances and velocity limits and locations whereeach financial account may be used are preferably collected into rulesets 1020. A rule set 1020 may be assigned for each account 1010 in thewallet. If a rule set 1020 is not defined for an account, the defaultwallet level rule set 1008 may be used.

Since the wallet 1000 interacts with a variety of internal and externalaccounts, the wallet must contain or store information regarding how toaccess each such account. The specifics required to do so may becollected into an access configuration 1018. For example, the accessconfiguration 1018 may include information regarding communicationchannel access points such as a URI, URL, IP address, dialup number,etc. for each account. In addition, relative to secured transactions,the access configuration 1018 may include information regarding securitytype or technique and security credentials such as passwords,certificates, PKI key pairs, PIN blocks, etc. In addition, where anexternal account is managed by an enterprise gateway, the accessconfiguration 1018 may include information regarding the gateway(s).

In one embodiment, the wallet 1000 may store information regarding thestatus of each account, such as to allow or prevent access thereto. Forexample, accounts can be active, closed or locked, such as pendinginvestigation. Other status types can easily be supported.

Assuming that an account 1010 is in an active status, the feature set1022 and rule set 1020 for that account control how the player may usethe wallet to intermediate access to the available sources illustratedin FIG. 10, such as to fund game play of wagering games within a casino,in one of a plurality of related casinos or for gaming on the internetat a specific website or group of related websites where the financialaccount is accepted.

A player's financial accounts 1010 may identify certain accounts asdepository accounts. For example, a checking account or savings accountmay be designated to be a depository account. A depository account isdesirable in order to receive funds from other accounts defined in theplayer's wallet. In addition, these depository accounts mayelectronically receive funds from external sources such as: (1) internetgaming sites; (2) virtual online gaming machines; and/or (3) bankingmachines. These deposits can occur upon demand by the player or viarecurrent automated transfers. Further, the player may withdraw fundsfrom a depository account via check, ATM, EFT networks, or via a tellerat a bank. A debit card may be associated with the depository account tofacilitate this. Again, based upon the features set, rules and accessdefinitions of the wallet 1000, the transactional use of a depositoryaccount can be restricted for use at particular casinos, websites andvirtual online gaming machines.

The player's gaming wallet 1000 of this invention may be furtherenhanced by including in the player's wallet 1000 reference to externaldigital wallets owned by the player having each their own credentialsand collection of accounts, for instance, a Paypal™ account. These otherexternal digital wallets provide additional or other financial sourcesand depository accounts available to the player. The transactional usagewithin gaming of an external digital wallet is managed in the samemanner as other accounts in the player's gaming wallet 1000.

The invention preferably further provides a mechanism that allows formultiple internal wallets to be created and managed by a player.Multiple wallets may be desirable to segregate between competingcasinos, differing casino game types, separate gaming jurisdictions,etc. These multiple wallets can be associated with each other asparent-child or peer-to-peer. For wallets which are children of theparent wallet, financial accounts defined as external can be sharedbetween the wallets, whereas wallets related to each other as peerswould not share their financial accounts. Regardless of therelationship, the credentials of the player are shared between thesemultiple internal wallets.

As indicated above, the wallet 1000 may have a default feature set 1006and other feature sets 1022 may be associated with individual accounts1010. FIG. 11 illustrates a number of embodiments of feature sets 1022.

One element of a feature set may be a designation as to whetherpurchases can be made using the account 1130. The ability to use anaccount to purchase a good or service is an important characteristic tobe specified (for example, this feature set may control purchases bytype of good or service; for example, this feature set might allow aplayer to make a non-gaming purchase of food or beverages, but not agaming purchase of gaming machine credits, or other variations ofcontrols). Typically goods or services in a gaming context would bewagering credits or wagering instruments but could also be food,beverage, show tickets, etc. When a purchase is made the account isdebited for the amount of the purchase and they are remitted to theseller. If this attribute is set to No then the accounts associated withthis attribute cannot be used to make purchases. If it is set to Yesthen purchases can be made.

Another element of a feature set may be a designation regarding theability to make a withdrawal from the account 1132. A withdrawal removesfunds from the account 1010 to another account either internal orexternal to the wallet 1000. In effect a withdrawal is a transfer offunds. This allows the owner or operator of the wallet to prevent fundsfrom leaving their system. For instance, it may be desirable to allowwithdrawals when the currency type is widely negotiable and to preventwithdrawals if it is not. If this attribute is set to No then theaccounts associated with this attribute cannot be withdrawn from. If itis set to Yes then withdrawals can be made

The feature set may also control the ability to make a deposit into anaccount 1134. A deposit moves funds into the account from anotheraccount either internal or external to the wallet. In effect a depositis another form of a transfer. This allows the owner or operator of thewallet to add funds from available sources. For instance, it may bedesirable to allow deposits when the currency type of the account is acash equivalent and when purchases are also allowed via the account. Ifthis attribute is set to No then the accounts associated with thisattribute cannot accept deposits. If it is set to Yes then deposits canbe accepted.

A feature set may also include a designation of whether an accountcomprises a wagering instrument 1136. In a gaming context, a wageringinstrument is a vehicle by which bets can be placed and wins can bepaid. Poker chips and slot tickets or vouchers are examples of wageringinstruments. Accounts in the wallet contain wagering instruments whenthe Wagering Instrument attribute is set to Yes. Often the currency ofthese wagering instruments can be exchanged for cash of an equivalentamount but this is not always so. In the case of play for fun gameswherein no wager for money is permitted the wagering instrument wouldnot have a cash equivalent currency and could not be exchanged.

Preferably, the funds in a single account 1010 must be of the samecurrency. The currency can be a real world currency such as UnitedStates Dollars (USD), sometimes called a cash equivalent currency, or itcan be a virtual currency such as loyalty points awarded by a casino oronline wagering site. Thus, the feature set may include informationregarding the currency type 1138, which information defines the currencyof the funds in the account. In the case of cash equivalents it can beset to a well known currency code such as those defined by the ISO 4217standard. In the case of virtual currencies the casino or onlinewagering site operator will dictate the value to use. In the case of anaccount which references a wallet the currency type is not applicable(N/A) since the wallet manages the currencies of its respectiveaccounts.

Accounts 1010 in a wallet 1000 can be internal to the wallet or externalfrom the wallet. The relationship type 1140 defines attribute values toindicate whether the account is internal or external to the wallet. Forexample, accounts 1010 internal to the wallet 1000 may be used withoutreliance on external enterprise gateways or third party systems.However, accounts having an external relationship type may rely ongateways and third party systems for access.

Accounts 1010 can reference other wallets. Wallets referenced in thisway are referred to as “sub-wallets”. The wallet 1000 in which one ofits accounts 1010 references a different wallet may be referred to asthe “parent-wallet”. When a sub-wallet is referenced by an account in aparent-wallet the sub-wallet accounts can then be used as sources forpurchases, withdrawals and deposits. The relationship type 1140 of thesub-wallet can be either “child” or “peer”. When this attribute is setto “child” the one or more of the accounts of the parent-wallet may beshared with the sub-wallet. This sharing is very useful to the playerbecause it simplifies the configuration associated with enrollment ofaccounts, transferring of funds between wallets and the tracking of allrelated activity over time.

When the relationship type 1140 attribute is set to “peer”, all theaccounts in the sub-wallet are independent of the parent-wallet andunknown to it. Consequently the parent-wallet must communicate with thesub-wallet to learn what accounts are available and what the rules arerelated to the accounts. The parent-wallet uses the access configuration(1018; see FIG. 10) appropriate to the sub-wallet in order tocommunicate. This relationship type 1140 may be used to interoperatewith a wallet offered by external enterprises like PayPal™ and Google™.

As indicated above, a wallet 1000 may include a default rule set 1006and/or each account may be assigned a particular rule set 1020. Suchrules or rule sets may, for example, control balances and limits of thevarious accounts in the wallet 1000. One example of various rule or rulesets will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

In one embodiment, rule sets 1022 may be named or designated withdesignators 1250. A named rule set 1050 is preferably associated witheach account 1010 in the wallet 1000. A rule set may specify one or moreof the following.

First, a rule set 1022 may include information regarding a minimumbalance amount 1252 (such as defined by a numerical value in aparticular currency). Transactions attempted against the account 1010are preferably denied if the resulting balance would be less than theminimum balance value.

Second, a rule set 1022 might include information regarding a maximumbalance amount 1254 (such as defined by a numerical value in aparticular currency). Transactions attempted against the account 1010are preferably denied if the resulting balance would exceed the maximumbalance value.

The rule set 1022 may include cumulative limits on withdrawal amounts1256. These limits can be applied across any time period, such as daily,weekly or monthly or other time frames, not all of which are representedin FIG. 12. Also not depicted in FIG. 12 are similar limits which can beset on deposits and purchases across various time periods. Either thewallet owner or the operator might set or define these limits.

The rule set 1022 might include information regarding jurisdictionpolicies 1264. Such information may determine which legal gamingjurisdictions may interoperate with the account using the rule set 1022.Jurisdictions may be countries, states, provinces, Native Americantribes, etc. that have passed laws and/or regulations permitting gamingand/or the use of funds from the accounts for the designated purposes.If “none” is the value of the jurisdiction policy 1258, then theaccounts associated with the rule set 1022 may preferably be used in anyjurisdiction. Due to the highly fragmented and regulated nature of thegaming industry “none” may be an infrequently used value. Otherwise,particular jurisdictions may be defined by the policy 1258, as aparticular state, country or the like.

The rule set 1022 may also include information regarding a gaming venuepolicy 1260. Such information may control or determine which gaminglocations may interoperate with the accounts 1010 using the rule set1022. Venues are typically locations in which wagering occurs such ascasinos, online wagering sites, online virtual gaming machines. Howeverthe venue policy 1060 can be adapted to specify which banks, paymentnetworks, ATM networks, etc may interoperate with the wallet and itsaccounts. The policy accommodates one or more venues. If “none” is thevalue of the venue policy 1260 then the accounts 1010 associated withthe rule set might, for example, be usable anywhere. Of course, the ruleset 1022 may be easily expanded for creating rules related to otheraspects of financial transactions, such as transactions having certainfixed purchase amounts such as ATM withdrawals, etc. The rule set 1022could contain cost metrics that measure the relative costs of doingtypical transactions with any particular account. Comparing the relativetransactional costs across accounts 1010 in the wallet 1000 can be usedto select for either lower or highest transaction costs.

Each account 1010 may require its own specialized security and accessmechanisms. The wallet 1000 allows the access method to be defined on aper account basis as illustrated in FIG. 13. For example, the accessconfiguration 1018 information may include an access configuration IDfield or information 1360, a security type 1362, security credentials1364, and information regarding the enterprise or entity which operatesor controls the account, or an enterprise ID 1366.

As stated above the use of rule sets allows accounts interoperability tobe limited to specific gaming venues. FIG. 14 illustrates how a gamingvenue policy 1468 may be used to accomplish this. Each gaming venuepolicy 1468 is assigned a unique name 1470 so that it can be easilyreferenced from a rule set 1020. The policy provides for one or moregaming venues 1472 a, 1472 b, 1472 n to be identified per policy. Theallowed identification values may be accessed from other tables (notshown), where additional descriptive information about the venue isrecorded such as address, contact persons(s), Gateway IP addresses, etc.A value of “*all” may indicate that the accounts 1010 associated withthe Venue Policy 1468 may be used at any gaming venue.

Likewise it may be necessary to restrict interoperability of accountsbased upon the legal jurisdictions which control gaming. FIG. 15illustrates how this is accomplished. Each jurisdiction policy 1574 isnamed 1576 so it can be easily referenced from a rule set 1020. Thejurisdiction policy 1574 provides for one or more legal jurisdictions1578 a, 1578 b, 1578 n to be identified per policy. The allowedjurisdiction identification values may be accessed from other tables(not shown), such as where additional descriptive information about thejurisdiction is recorded such as State abbreviation, regulatory agencycontacts, references to regulations, etc.

The jurisdiction policy 1574 and gaming venue policy 1468 areindependently configurable and are independently examined in the courseof transactions. However, the limitations of both policy types mustpreferably be satisfied for transactions to execute.

In use, the player's wallet accounts 1010 are set-up and a combinationof credit, debit and depository accounts are identified and configuredfor the wallet 1000. The player might provide account information via aform which is supplied to the casino, by inputting the information intoan electronic form or other on-line or computer environment or in othermanners. In the preferred embodiment a cashless gaming database containsthe wallet(s) associated with a particular player, where the wallet 1000is represented by data, such as contained in one or more data files.

The player may be permitted to input various control data orpreferences. For example, a player may be permitted to set limits fortheir entire wallet 1000 or for individual wallet accounts 1010 thatspecify the amount and frequency of transactions permitted for a daily,weekly, monthly or configurable time period. The player may alsoconfigure which accounts 1010 are to be available by transaction type.For instance the player may exclude their Visa account from fundinggaming type transactions.

At this point in the set-up, depending on the gaming regulations, it maybe desirable to include responsible gaming limits. Such limits mayinclude daily limits, weekly limits, monthly limits, or other financiallimits set based on a configurable time interval of player activity. Forexample, a casino may be required by the regulations of a specificjurisdiction to allow the player to play only $500 per day. Suchinformation may be associated with the player's rule set 1020.

The casino may wish to set certain limits such as the maximum amount offunds per day that a player can transfer to a depository source in theirfinancial account. Because funds in a depository source can be withdrawnin cash by the player such limits help reduce risk associated with fraudand money laundering. When jurisdictional limits are set they would takeprecedence over any player set limits.

Any number of credit, debit and depository sources may be allocated inthe player's wallet database. These sources may include but not belimited to the following examples:

Debit Sources: examples include traditional debit cards issued by banksand other financial institutions in order for a patron to access fundsheld on account at the institution. Debit sources may include externalfinancial institutions or the casino may also establish an account wherea player may hold funds ahead of time which may be accessed.

Credit Sources: examples include traditional credit cards issued bybanks and other financial institutions in order for a patron to accesscredit issued by a particular financial institution. Credit sources mayinclude external financial institutions or the casino may also establishan account where a player may access credit for game play, retailpurchases, service purchases, or amenity purchases such as roomreservation, spa, etc.

Depository Accounts: examples include checking, saving and commercialaccounts at financial institutions. Also includes e-wallets such asthose operated by Paypal™ Google™. These sources can be used forpurchases and deposits of all kinds, including purchases and deposits ofgaming funds. In one embodiment, gaming funds can be transferred intoand withdrawn via these accounts thus giving the player a way to convertgaming funds to cash.

Clearinghouse Loan: examples may include a 3^(rd) party that acts as abroker between a backend financial institution and a front end place ofcasino gaming such as a casino or casino gaming website.

Casino Credit: examples include credit issued by the casino for certainfeatures such as casino gaming. Such credit may be further targeted toapply only to certain gaming offerings within the casino or on thecasino internet website such as: slot machines, table games, bingo,poker, etc.

Vendor Credit: examples include credit issued by a vendor for onlyspecific vendor oriented gaming products such as certain types of gamingdevices based on the vendor. For example, one casino may issue credit toa player to play only at or on their casino slot games. Anotherembodiment may include Vendor Debit wherein the vendor provides aparticular player funds to play only the games they have at the casinoor the games they offer over the internet.

Key Player Bonus Cash: may include bonus funds provided to key playersor to entice specific players to engage in casino gaming at a particularcasino or on a particular casino gaming website. Such bonus cash may beissued as a promotion, enticement, or based on play activity such as thenumber of visits, the amount spent or other considerations that areimportant to the casino operator or the internet gaming casino operator.

Other sources are also possible such as third parties not associatedwith a financial institution or casino operator. For example, a companysuch as Hard Rock Cafe may issue credit or debit cards that can be usedin any casino as a promotion for Hard Rock Café products. Additionally,stored value cards, gift cards or other similar cards enabling access tofinancial accounts and associated funds may be issued by a financialinstitutions or casino operator or 3^(rd) party to be used as a sourceof debit funds.

The player's financial account 1010 is then configured to include one ormore of the defined sources, or the player may wish to opt-out and be acash-only player. The player's wallet 1000 is then configured with allappropriate credit, debit, depository, loan, and other sources ofavailable funding.

Once configured, the player may access any one of their funds/fundingsources, such as to fund wagers used to play one or more wagering games.For example, where the player card 140 is configured to associate withone of the player's designated financial account(s) or to their digitalwallet 1000, the player may take their card 140 to a banking machine,kiosk or to an attendant with a wireless remote device and use the cardto provide access to their accounts and thus to funds associatedtherewith.

In the case of an online virtual gaming machine, the player may enterthe unique identifier of their PTC 140 or their digital wallet 1000. Theunique identifier may be scanned if it is a bar code, geode, etc., or itmight be manually input (such as in the case of a numeric code).Alternately, the player and their financial account may be known to theonline virtual gaming machine via the player's sign on credentials (suchas by storing associating data).

Once the player's identity and unique identifier has been validated bythe gaming machine, bank machine, kiosk, remote device or online virtualgaming machine, the player is given options in order to select where thefunds should come from. The source selected by the player may be fromone or more defined sources associated with the player's financialaccount. For example where there is one source selected, the player mayuse debit funds available at an external financial institution.

While in a preferred embodiment, a player's casino player trackingaccount and/or card 140 are linked to one or more financial accountsand/or their digital wallet 1000, in another embodiment, such is notrequired. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, a casino neednot link a player's tracking account/card 140 with the player's digitalwallet 1000. As one example, referring to FIG. 16, a vendor mightprovide kiosks 1630 (which may comprise access points, banking machinesor other devices) in one or more locations in a casino or in differentcasinos. A player might create a digital wallet 1000 with the vendor.For example, the funds vendor may store information regarding eachplayer wallet 1000 in a wallet database 1699. The vendor might issue theplayer an access card or provide other access information. The playermay then travel to a kiosk in a casino and, using their access card orother access information, access their digital wallet 1000 via the kiosk1630.

In similar fashion to the above, when the player desires to engage in atransaction, they may input their card or other identifying informationto the kiosk 1630, which kiosk may communicate with an authorizationserver 1650. The authorization server 1650 may use information regardingthe player's wallet 1000, such as obtained from the wallet database1699, to attempt to process a financial transaction. As indicated above,such a transaction may be performed relative to one or more financialinstitutions 1690.

In one embodiment, if the financial transaction is approved, i.e. fundsare accessed or obtained, then the authorization server 1650 maycommunicate with a casino's cashless gaming system 1670 in order toobtain ticket information. The casino's cashless gaming system 1670 maygenerate ticket information for a ticket corresponding to the accessedfunds. This information may be transmitted back to the authorizationserver 1650 and thereon to the kiosk 1630, whereupon the kiosk 1630 maygenerate and issue a value ticket. Notably, this value ticket may bepresented at gaming machines, gaming tables or the like of the casino,whereupon those machines or devices may communicate to the casino'scashless gaming system 1670 in order to confirm the validity of theticket.

In this or other configurations of the invention, the vendor's kiosk ispreferably tied, such as via a back-end system, to the casino'saccounting system. Thus, when a player seeks funds from an accountassociated with their digital wallet 1000, the funds might betransferable directly to the player's casino account which is managed bythe casino. The player might then use the funds in their account withinthe casino, such as at a gaming machine or gaming table.

An authorization server may be configured to communicate with multiplecasino systems. As indicated above, a vendor might place a kiosk inCasino A and a kiosk in Casino B. When a player accesses funds fromtheir wallet via the kiosk in Casino A, the authorization server maycommunicate with Casino A's accounting system to generate the associatedticket. When a player accesses funds from their wallet via the kiosk inCasino B, the authorization server may communicate with Casino B'saccounting system to generate the associated ticket. Likewise, a playermay link their Casino A player tracking account and their Casino Bplayer tracking account to a single wallet. If the player uses theirCasino A player tracking card at a kiosk at Casino A, the authorizationserver may use the Casino A player tracking card information to accessthe player's digital wallet and then either transfer funds to a playeraccount at Casino A or issue a funds ticket which is valid at Casino A.If the player uses their Casino B player tracking card at a kiosk atCasino B, the authorization sever may use the Casino B player trackingcard information to access the player's digital wallet and then eithertransfer funds to a player account at Casino B or issue a funds ticketwhich is valid at Casino B. In this manner, a player may link differentplayer tracking cards to different or the same digital wallet, whereinthe wallet may be managed by the vendor.

There are several benefits to this configuration of the invention.First, a vendor can implement the invention and provide a player withaccess to funds via a kiosk, rather than having to modify all of thegaming machines at the casino to be capable of providing fundsinformation and the like. Second, a player may generate a single digitalwallet with a funds vendor where the funds vendor may have kioskslocated at multiple different casino properties. Thus, the singledigital wallet enables a player to access funds at multiple differentcasinos (as opposed to the player having to create a first digitalwallet with a first casino property for use at that property, a seconddigital wallet with a second casino property for use at that property,etc., and where the player may then have to maintain multiple associatedtracking cards or identifiers to access the different wallets).

Regardless of the implementation, because the player's digital walletmay be associated with multiple different funding sources, a player maychoose to access funds from one or more of those sources, such ascombinations thereof. For example, the player may wish to access $800,comprising $100 from a debit card, $200 from a credit card and $500 fromcasino credit. The combined amount once validated and approved by eachof the chosen sources might then be issued as a $800 cash ticket thatcan be used anywhere in the casino. In the case of an online virtualgaming machine the validated amount may be credited to the player'swagering account where it can be used for betting on the online virtualgaming machine or elsewhere on the internet gaming website.

The disclosed system includes logic that prevents the player from usingspecific sources of funding which may depend on various criteria, suchas: 1) the desires of the casino or internet casino operator, or 2) theregulatory rules in a particular gaming jurisdiction. For example,credit cards may not be allowed on a casino gaming floor but may beallowed to be used in an on-line/Internet environment. Other examplesmay require consideration of gaming regulations within a gamingjurisdiction such that one gaming jurisdiction may only allow debit playwhile another gaming jurisdiction may allow both debit and credit.

Logic/information may also be used to control the use of depositorysources. For example, in one confirmation, funds in wagering account oronline virtual gaming machines may not be allowed to be transferred todepository sources.

Where a player wishes to access funds without leaving a physical gamingtable, a wireless remote access device may be provided to the player byan attendant where selection of amounts and funding sources may be madeby the player upon validation of the player's account information.

When a player accesses their wallet 1000 and one or more designatedaccounts, the account information, access configuration 1018 and otherinformation stored in the wallet is preferably utilize to access thedesired funds. In the case of external (i.e. outside of the casino whichgenerated the wallet 1000) financial institutions, this information maybe used to contact the institution and effect a financial transactionfor the player, such as by effecting a withdrawal of funds from achecking/savings account, seeking an amount of credit from a creditcard, etc. Likewise, a player may associate funds with a designatedaccount 1010. For example, a player might win a $10,000 jackpot. Uponwinning the jackpot, the player could seek to have the funds directlydeposited into their savings account.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or central attributes thereof. In that the foregoingdescription of the present invention discloses only exemplaryembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that other variations arecontemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited in the particularembodiments that have been described in detail therein. Rather,reference should be made to the appended claims as indicative of thescope and content of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of funding wager-based gaming activitiesof a player comprising: receiving from a player pre-existing financialaccount information regarding at least two different financial accountsassociated with said player which are maintained by at least onefinancial institution, the pre-existing financial account informationcomprising information required to conduct electronic financialtransactions with said financial accounts by which said player mayaccess funds associated with said financial accounts; generating aplayer digital wallet corresponding to said player in a database, saidpre-existing financial account information stored in association withsaid player digital wallet; receiving from said player a first uniqueidentifier associated with a first player tracking system at a firstcasino and a second unique identifier associated with a second playertracking system at a second casino; storing said first and second uniqueidentifiers in said database; associating, in the database, the firstand second unique identifiers of the player with the player digitalwallet; receiving said first unique identifier at a first kiosk in saidfirst casino; accessing said player digital wallet using said receivedfirst unique identifier; presenting information to said player via adisplay of said first kiosk regarding said one or more financialaccounts which said player may select to access funds; receivinginformation from said player regarding a selection of at least one ofsaid financial accounts from which to access funds and a funds value;using said pre-existing financial account information stored inassociation with said player digital wallet to processes a fundstransaction with said at least one financial institution for access offunds from said selected financial accounts; generating a first ticketrepresenting a first funds value, said first ticket being redeemable atsaid first casino; issuing said first ticket from said first kiosk tosaid player; exchanging information regarding said first ticket with afirst accounting system of said first casino, whereby said first ticketis presentable at a first gaming machine in said first casino forcrediting of said first funds value associated with said first ticket tosaid first gaming machine for wagering by said player; receiving saidsecond unique identifier at a second kiosk in said second casino;accessing said player digital wallet using said received second uniqueidentifier; presenting information to said player via a display of saidsecond kiosk regarding said one or more financial accounts which saidplayer may select to access funds; receiving information from saidplayer regarding a selection of at least one of said financial accountsfrom which to access funds and a funds value; using said pre-existingfinancial account information stored in association with said playerdigital wallet to processes a funds transaction with said at least onefinancial institution for access of funds from said selected financialaccounts; generating a second ticket representing a second funds value,said second ticket being redeemable at said second casino; issuing saidsecond ticket from said second kiosk to said player; and exchanginginformation regarding said second ticket with a second accounting systemof said second casino, whereby said second ticket is presentable at asecond gaming machine in said second casino for crediting of said secondfunds value associated with said second ticket to said second gamingmachine for wagering by said player.
 2. The method in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said player digital wallet comprises at least one datafile of electronically stored information.
 3. The method in accordancewith claim 1 further comprising rules associated with use of said atleast two different financial accounts, wherein said rules may bedifferent for different financial accounts.
 4. The method in accordancewith claim 3 wherein said rules comprise jurisdictional rules.
 5. Themethod in accordance with claim 4, wherein said rules comprise accountrestrictions according to transaction type.
 6. The method in accordancewith claim 5, wherein said transaction type comprises a non-gamblingtransaction.
 7. The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rulescomprise daily access limits.
 8. The method in accordance with claim 1wherein said first and second unique identifiers are issued to saidplayer in association with an access card.
 9. The method in accordancewith claim 1 wherein said first and second kiosks comprised a bankingmachine.
 10. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said databaseis associated with at least one authorization server which is linked tosaid first and second kiosks by at least one communication link.
 11. Amethod of funding wager-based gaming activities of a player comprising:receiving from a player pre-existing financial account informationregarding at least two different financial accounts associated with saidplayer which are maintained by at least one financial institution, thepre-existing financial account information comprising informationrequired to conduct electronic financial transactions with saidfinancial accounts by which said player may access funds associated withsaid financial accounts; generating a player digital walletcorresponding to said player in a database, said pre-existing financialaccount information stored in association with said player digitalwallet; receiving a first unique identifier from said player inassociation with a first player tracking card, the first uniqueidentifier identifying a first casino account belonging to said player;receiving a second unique identifier from said player in associationwith a second player tracking card, the second unique identifieridentifying a second casino account belonging to said player;associating, in the database, the first and second unique identifiers ofthe player with the player digital wallet; accepting said first playertracking card at a first kiosk in a first casino; receiving said firstunique identifier from said first player tracking card at said firstkiosk; accessing said player digital wallet using said received firstunique identifier; presenting information to said player via a displayof said first kiosk regarding said one or more financial accounts whichsaid player may select to access funds; receiving information from saidplayer regarding a selection of at least one of said financial accountsfrom which to access funds and a first funds value; using saidpre-existing financial account information stored in association withsaid player digital wallet to processes a funds transaction with said atleast one financial institution for access of funds from said selectedfinancial accounts; generating a first ticket representing said firstfunds value; issuing said first ticket from said first kiosk to saidplayer; accepting said first ticket at a first gaming machine in saidfirst casino; crediting said first funds value associated with saidfirst ticket to said first gaming machine for wagering by said player;accepting said second player tracking card at a second kiosk in a secondcasino; receiving said second unique identifier from said second playertracking card at said second kiosk; accessing said player digital walletusing said received second unique identifier; presenting information tosaid player via a display of said second kiosk regarding said one ormore financial accounts which said player may select to access funds;receiving information from said player regarding a selection of at leastone of said financial accounts from which to access funds and a secondfunds value; using said pre-existing financial account informationstored in association with said player digital wallet to processes afunds transaction with said at least one financial institution foraccess of funds from said selected financial accounts; generating asecond ticket representing said second funds value; issuing said secondticket from said second kiosk to said player; accepting said secondticket at a second gaming machine in said second casino; and creditingsaid second funds value associated with said second ticket to saidsecond gaming machine for wagering by said player.
 12. The method inaccordance with claim 11 wherein said player digital wallet comprises atleast one data file of electronically stored information.
 13. The methodin accordance with claim 11 further comprising rules associated with useof said at least two different financial accounts, wherein said rulesmay be different for different financial accounts.
 14. The method inaccordance with claim 13, wherein said rules comprise accountrestrictions according to transaction type.
 15. The method in accordancewith claim 13 wherein said rules comprise jurisdictional rules.
 16. Themethod in accordance with claim 13 wherein said rules comprise dailyaccess limits.
 17. The method in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidfirst and second kiosks comprise a banking machine.
 18. The method inaccordance with claim 11 wherein said database is associated with atleast one authorization server which is linked to said first and secondkiosks by at least one communication link.
 19. The method in accordancewith claim 11 wherein said first casino account is associated with afirst casino database, and said second casino account is associated witha second casino database.
 20. The method in accordance with claim 19wherein said first and second kiosks are part of a vendor system whichis separate from casino systems which includes said first and secondcasino databases.